
Wiarton Panic Alarm System (Photo provided by April Patry)
Wiarton Hospital staff are being outfitted with a new alarm system to improve safety.
The new Panic Alarm System will help patients and staff in stressful and possibly serious scenarios by alerting others to come to their aid.
The Bruce Peninsula Hospital Foundation says while altercations involving confused patients are rare, when they do occur, they happen suddenly and can be serious.
“The Panic Alarm System is a safety mechanism which provides security for hospital staff. Staff are outfitted with a small panic button that they can wear on a key chain or lanyard, so that if they experience a medical emergency, fall or interaction with an aggressive or violent person, they can silently press their button, and discretely call for help by pressing the button,” says the foundation.
The system will alert other staff in the building of their colleague’s need for assistance, and will pinpoint where they are needed.
This new alarm system is replacing the old system as it was at the end of its life, unreliable, and parts are no longer available for repairs.
The foundation adds as there is little government funding available for capital upgrades and purchases for this type of equipment, the Community Foundation Grey Bruce stepped in to help make the purchase possible.
“The safety monitors are a great example of a project that improves the health and wellness of the people of Grey and Bruce, one of the pillars of our Vital Signs report and a focus of our Community Granting. We’re happy to be supporting this project and to hear how effective and necessary it is,” says Grants and Donor Relations Coordinator Jen Legge.